From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The FederalGovernment has launched a national policy on welding and welding-related fields and strategy implementation action plan to discontinue the importation of welders into the country.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who made this known at the unveiling of the policy in Abuja, explained that the aim is to save the $10 billion being used annually for importation of welders.
He said the policy would not only create employment opportunities but also contribute to the overall industrialisation of the nation.
“Despite having over one million welders, Nigeria still loses an estimated $10 billion annually in revenue by importing welders with international certification, displacing our local service suppliers due to the lack of acceptable accreditation.
“Research has shown that welders’ contribution to all fabricated products exceeds 70 percent, with most welder’s wage components unwittingly exported. The influx of foreign welding personnel, particularly in the oil and gas industry, demands special attention.”
The minister, who expressed dissatisfaction with the influx of foreign welding personnel in the country, stressed that the international certification has marginalized local welding professionals by depriving them of opportunities to contribute their expertise.
“The emphasis on international certification has marginalized local welding professionals, depriving them of opportunities to contribute their expertise. The recent approval of the national policy on welding and welding-related fields is a crucial step towards addressing this issue by promoting the utilization of local welding personnel in critical sectors of the economy.
“In line with the policy thrust of the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government will collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Welding to establish six centers of welding excellence in the six geopolitical zones.
“These centres will provide training and ISO certification to local welders, empowering them to work locally and internationally. The initiative aims at promoting local content utilization in alignment with the objectives of Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which seeks to boost local content in production. Implementing this policy is vital for the growth of the manufacturing industry, and is a crucial component of our industrialisation efforts,” he stated.
Nnaji added that his ministry had empowered many Nigerians with requisite skills through capacity building in the areas of fabrication of machines, leather technology, solar energy, finishing of buildings, and small hydro turbines for power generation, among others.
“We have equipped many entrepreneurs with home-grown technologies to help them grow their businesses for job creation,” Nnaji emphasised.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, James Sule, said welding is the bedrock of the socio-economic development and sustainability of every economy
He, therefore, called for encouragement and promotion of welding practices to maximize the inherent potential of the untapped sector of the Nigerian Economy.